May 2009

May 28, 2009

If you found out that you can no longer eat dairy, meat, soy, sugar, coffee, chocolate, wheat (or any form of gluten), additives or preservatives of any kind, alcohol and possibly eggs, what would you eat? I have a friend that would really appreciate any suggestions (she's not feeling up for a raw diet right now which is where my mind first went). Even this self-proclaimed whole foodie is coming up short on inspiration right now.

Man. That's quite a list isn't it?

Any websites, blogs, or book recommendations? We would be so grateful.

May 27, 2009

Months ago I felt the need to re-establish a clear, designated space in our home for yoga practice. I've always maintained a corner here or there for this, but it's been ages since I've truly set aside space in our home for yoga alone.

I feel very fortunate to have a family that understands the benefits to be gained from giving up a little square footage (this was previously our den and it was cute and cozy) in our home, to set it aside as a sacred place of wellness and self-discovery.

There's really nothing to it. Less is more when it comes to putting together this kind of space. There is a shelf for my yoga texts, poetry, and journals. There is an alter that has a rotating display of a few special treasures, a docking station for my ipod, and of course, sparkly lighting. Most importantly, there is room for three mats should any family members care to join me... which i think they will both start doing more and more.

I've been using this room for a little while now, but this weekend the final curtain was sewn (I used two matching 70's tapestries - I'm such a sucker for those) and it finally feels complete and perfect in every way. It is such a calm and beautiful space to be in.

Birthright

Danna Faulds

Despite illness of body or mind, in spite of blinding despair or habitual belief, who you are is whole.

Let nothing keep you separate from the truth. The soul, illumined from within, longs to be known for what it is.

Undying, untouched by fire or the storms of life, there is a place inside where stillness and abiding peace reside.You can ride the breath to go there.

Despite doubt or hopeless turns of mind, you are not broken. Spirit surrounds, embraces, fills you from the inside out. Release everything that isn't your true nature. What's left, the fullness, light and shadow, claim all that as your birthright.

Thanks for stopping by our little yoga room, I hope you're having a great week!

May 25, 2009

Mama chosen snacks attractively and irresistibly arranged in a muffin tin, genius. I am so in love with this idea. I wish I could pay tribute to the blog that I learned it from, but I can't for the life of me remember where I saw it! But isn't this so good?

We tend to be a two meal a day family on the weekends, much of the time. Often we'll have a pretty big breakfast on the late side of morning, then we'll sit down to a second big meal around 3:00 or 4:00 in the afternoon. In between there is the activity of the day and plenty of grazing. Before anyone even starts looking for the ice cream or reaching for a handful of cookies... have this at the ready. Just set it up and place it on the kitchen, picnic, or coffee table and step back. Kiddos (and spouses) who are looking for a little something will be thankful for your effort, amused by the presentation, and most importantly, they will be well fed and happy!

I specifically have been keeping my thrifty eye open for a six muffin pan because I didn't think I could easily come up with twelve snacks, so glad I found one! Of course, if you have a larger family just use a twelve muffin pan and double up on six choices.

May 23, 2009

Earlier today we headed over to visit with friends for a season opener summer barbeque. My friend asked me to bring the hamburger rolls (I use our everyday bread recipe and just shape into rolls). I was happy to, this recipe really does make great rolls... and how fun to have freshly made burger buns. It seems like such a special treat, but once you get into the habit of bread baking it's a very easy task.

I was so inspired when Amanda shared her bread bags a while back, especially how they made beautiful and practical use of vintage tea towels - which I have so many of. I knew those hamburger rolls needed a drawstring bread bag of their own. And what a perfect little gift for the hostess!

There are quite a few months ahead of picnics and parties. If my little family is on the guest list to your backyard bash, make sure you ask me to bring the buns... I will see to it that you get a cute little bread bag as well. ;)

May 21, 2009

Lately I have felt drawn to near mundane practicality with the things I am designing and making, it is quite a good thing. With the Farmers Market starting in just a few short weeks, I've been busy planning new designs and getting very busy with the making end of things.

This season I've been encouraging my creativity to look at the everyday items we use. To work those items into my offerings and make them as beautiful and special as a hand-embroidered tote or a mantra quilt, both are wonderful to have but can feel like such an indulgence. I am trying to go into these next few months showing awareness and compassion with regards to where people are at with their spending.

One of the things we've been trying to express to our girl here in our home is that difficult economic times are not necessarily about people being out of money (because even if you are, that is too scary for kids to think about), it also has to do with how people choose to spend the money they do have (ah, empowering!). What is really worth parting with your hard (and sometimes too few) earned dollars?

So my focus this year is to become extremely practical in my designs and therefore my offerings. I am especially interested in items that could better protect the health of our natural world... trees, animals and children alike. There are several ideas in the works... many fresh, new, and simple things will be shared here over the next few weeks!

The time I spend making lunch for my family each morning is quite special to me. As I type this I'm thinking that I'm not really sure if they know this or not... hmm. Preparing the food that will be sent off with my family into the world each day is not something I try to rush through just to check it off the busy mama list and move on to the next item. I try to have a variety of fresh and homemade things on hand, and my hope is to make lunch a little different and equally interesting each day. I usually do this on the early side of the morning, before Emily is even awake, I'm happiest when I give myself about a 1/2 - 3/4 of an hour of time to make it all happen. It's not always perfectly graceful (please don't get the impression that it is) and there are certainly mornings where Adam pitches in and takes over when I have other things to take care of. But mostly, it is a very sweet and sacred part of my day.

Recently I watched the movie How to Cook Your Life. There was a point in the movie where a woman (I believe she was a nurse) said that cooking/preparing food for others is the most holy thing we can do each day. I can't even begin to express how perfectly that makes sense to me.

So, a lunchbag is one of the designs I've been brewing. The lunchbag that we send our children and partners off with each day carries so much more than a sandwich and an apple...

I'm not ready to call this my final draft, I still have some function and design elements to tweak a bit. But part of the fun of being in a family where crafty things are made for 'work', is that you get to keep and enjoy the cast-offs! Emily was pretty happy to tote her new bag to school today. ;)